Chairman of the Upper West Regional Peace Council, Rev Dr Aloysius Nuolabong, has called on civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media to intensify their collaboration with citizens in facilitating dialogue to enhance social cohesion.

He also expressed
the need for concerted efforts in building a peaceable society through
deliberate peace initiatives and civic education, particularly, ahead of next
year’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

“CSOs should form
collaborative fronts ahead of the 2020 elections and start designing activities
that will respond to emerging threats,” he said during this year’s
international day of peace celebration at Wa in the Upper West Region.

As part of
activities marking the Day, which falls on 21st September every year, the
Regional Peace Council organised a forum with political party representatives,
media, security agencies, youth groups, traditional authorities and heads of
departments on its peacebuilding efforts in the region.

Dr Nuolabong said
there were several “existing and emerging security” challenges, notably,
chieftaincy and land disputes, armed robbery and theft, particularly motorbikes
that threatened peace and human security in Upper West.

He said the region,
in recent times, was experiencing occurrences of threats of terrorist, violent
extremists attacks, violent communication through social media, kidnapping,
youth drug abuse and trafficking and prostitution.

The influx of
migrants fleeing extremist insurgencies in Burkina Faso into Ghanaian
communities along the border, he said, “Is reinforcing security concerns and
strains which needs to be addressed urgently”.

He expressed worry
that growing activities of foot soldiers of political parties and political
communicators was creating tensions and threats in the region.

Dr Nuolabong, “The
groups are being used by political parties to provide personal security,
project candidates and perpetuate violence against political opponents”.

He also raised
concerns about rising drug abuse by young people and threats posed by illegal
mining activities without due regard to environmental regulations.

He expressed the
fear that the activities could eventually limit the region’s ability to achieve
the Sustainable Development Goals – six, eleven and thirteen.

The regional peace
council was advised to consolidate its mandate of institutionalising dialogue
and mediation to respond swiftly to conflicts and emerging threats in the Region.

The upper west
regional peace council Executive Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Danyomah, highlighted
activities of the council aimed at addressing the various emerging conflicts
and also called for collaborative efforts from stakeholders including
assemblies.

He emphasised the
need for sustainable peace, saying: “Where there is peace people can learn and
work, create families, give birth and raise children, travel and enjoy life as
well as develop in material, spiritual and moral terms”.

A member of the
regional peace council, Rev Bernard Anchebah, was optimistic that engaging
peace actors often times, “We can ensure peace and walk towards progress,
welfare and prosperity of humanity”.

The international
day for peace is celebrated worldwide on the theme: “Climate action for Peace”,
to draw people’s attention to the importance of combating climate change as a
way of protecting and promoting peace globally.